Last Updated on May 25, 2022 at 1:16 pm
Division Bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi has shown annoyance over wasting of Central funds for conservation of lake in J&K. DB noticed that Wular Lake Conservation and Management Authority for a specific purpose but the authority was not able to fulfill the desired outcome but wasted the money which was authorized.
As the PIL came-up for hearing, the DB observed that the last order clearly indicated that 380 Kanals and 11 Marlas of the Wular Lake is still under encroachment and efforts are being taken to retrieve the said land. It is also noticed that no authorities is coming in front with any specific time limit within which they propose to retrieve the said land.
It has been observed that Rs. 200 Crore more have been provided by the Union of India for conservation and management of wet land though under the Wular Action Plan, about Rs 125 crore have already been spent, reportedly.
DB further mentioned that there has been no check on the dumping of garbage into the lake area. DB further observed that apart from the above Authority, there is another Authority with the name of Manasbal and Wular Development Authority that is entrusted with the work of the tourism development. The Court is not aware as to what action or steps the said Authority has taken for development of tourism around the Wular Lake. DB directed the Authority to submit an Action Taken Report showing the steps taken by it for the development of tourism. The DB observed that since the Manasbal and Wular Development Authority is not party to the PIL, directed that the said Authority to be impleaded as respondent no. 10 through its Chief Executive Officer.
Advocate General D C Raina has been requested by DB for co-ordination among departments and to place before court the precise stand of the respondents with regard to the conservation and preservation of Wular Lake as well as utilization of money sanctioned.
